Jet Dryer

A Jet Dryer is a specialized truck or trailer equipped with a powerful jet engine that blows hot air onto a racetrack to quickly dry wet surfaces and remove debris after rain delays.

Unlike regular vehicles, the jet engine on a Jet Dryer doesn't move the truck forward. Instead, it creates an enormous blast of hot air that gets directed downward onto the track surface. This hot air serves two main purposes: it physically pushes water away while the heat helps evaporate any remaining moisture.

Jet Dryers became essential in motorsports because race cars use special tires designed for dry conditions. When it rains during a race, drivers can't safely compete until the track is completely dry. Without track drying equipment, fans might wait hours for natural evaporation, especially on cloudy days.

NASCAR popularized Jet Dryers in the mid-1970s after team owner Roger Penske suggested using similar equipment he'd seen clearing snow from airport runways. Today, these machines are common at major racing venues across different motorsport series, including drag racing and stock car racing.

The equipment isn't perfect, though. Jet Dryers burn through hundreds of gallons of expensive jet fuel per hour, making them costly to operate. The extreme heat can also damage track surfaces over time, and any fuel residue left behind can make the asphalt slippery. The noise level is incredibly loud and requires hearing protection for nearby workers.

Modern alternatives like NASCAR's Air Titan system use compressed air instead of jet engines to push water off tracks, followed by traditional jet drying for final moisture removal. However, the classic Jet Dryer remains a crucial piece of equipment that keeps races moving when weather threatens to ruin the day for teams and fans alike.